Since I was appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs on 8 October 1997, the General Affairs Council has met 15 times, including two special sessions held in Geneva and devoted to trade matters, and which were attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt. I attended eight of the remaining 13 meetings of the Council. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Liz ODonnell, attended meetings of the Council on 24-25 November 1997.
I am arranging to provide the Deputy with a list setting out the dates of the General Affairs Councils held since the date on which I took up office and details of attendance at these. This list details my own attendance, attendance by representatives on my behalf and my other commitments which made that necessary.
Meetings of General Affairs Councils since 8 October 1997